Mop head for a sweeping mop

ABSTRACT

A sweeping style mop head having a backing to fit a conventional dust mop frame. Strands are sewn as a flat fringe near each edge of the undersurface of the backing, with one reach of the fringe extending towards the center thereof and with the other reach of the fringe extending outwardly from the backing, with the fringe lying flatly upon a floor when the mop is in use.

United States Paten Strauss 1 Jan. 23, 1973 41 MOP HEAD FOR A SWEEPING MOP 2,490,224 12/1949 McDermott ..15/229 BP 1 2,382,205 8/1945 Coats ..15/2z9 AP x [75 1 Invemm' P? Denver 3,230,565 1/1966 Koch ..5/229 BP 73 A M 11 w c D l 1 c mpmy FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22 Filed: March 22 1 71 620,820 5/1961 Canada ..l5/229 BP 770,987 7/1034 France ..15/229 8? [21] Appl. No.: 126,437 736,847 9/1955 Great Britain ..l5/229 AP Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 829,029, May 29, 1969.

US. Cl. ..15/229 BP Int. Cl. ..A47l 13/20 Field of Search ....l5/147 R, 147 A, 228, 229 A,

15/229 AC, 229 AP, 229 B, 229 BC, 229 B? [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,660,062 2/1928 Barber ..l5/229 3? 3,425,085 2/1969 Moss ..l5/229 BP Primary ExaminerDaniel Blum Attorney-Van Valkenburgh & Lowe [57] ABSTRACT A sweeping style mop head having a backing to fit a conventional dust mop frame. Strands are sewn as a flat fringe near each edge of the undersurface of the backing, with one reach of the fringe extending towards the center thereof and with the other reach of the fringe extending outwardly from the backing, with the fringe lying flatly upon a floor when the mop is in use.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDJAn 23 I975 SHEET 1 [1F 2 Fig. 3

INVENTOR.

BY Don S. Strauss fz w $03;

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 23 ms SHEET 2 [IF 2 Fig. 5

INVENTOR. Don S. Strauss ATTORNEYS MOP HEAD FOR A SWEEPING MOP This is a continuation in part of my application filed May 29, i969, Ser. No. 829,029, which matured into U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,359 issued July 20, 1971, to claim subject matter disclosed but not claimed in that application and to disclose and claim other subject matter as herein set forth.

The present invention relates to dust mops, and more particularly to improved constructions of mop heads or fillers to fit conventional dust mop frames. The improved mop head, as hereinafter disclosed, is so effective in picking up dust and dirt and thereafter permitting the same to be unloaded from the mop, that it sweeps as well as removes dust. As such, the invention will be hereinafter called a Sweeping Mop Head.

Where a large finished floor surface is to be kept clean, a dust mop is used to pick up dust and small particles of dirt since it can do so quickly. The general construction of a dust mop includes a handle, a frame attached to the end of the handle and a mop head secured to the frame. The head of a conventional dust mop usually consists of a strong cloth backing carrying thin, tightly wound yarn strands. A treatment, such as an oil-wax combination, is applied to the mop to moisten these strands so they can more effectively pick up lint, dirt and dust particles. After the mop head is loaded or charged with such dirt, it should be unloaded by shaking it and most of the dirt, lint and dust should fall away from the mop as into a container provided for the purpose.

Conventional dust mops have certain disadvantages and limitations. The tightly wound yarn strands are not especially effective in picking up dirt particles and these strands are designed more for withstanding frequent laundering than for maximum dust and dirt pick up. Moreover, in use, the thin, tightly would strands are easily tangled to form a comparatively thick matted head which reduces the effective surface area of the mop. When so tangled, it becomes difficult to unload dirt from the mop. Although a conventional, bulky dust mop head may appear to have a large dirt retaining capacity, actually the capacity is very much limited. This is easily demonstrated by separating the tangle of strands after the mop has been used for a period of time. The short strands are stained only at their exposed ends where they pick up dirt. The portions of the strands which are within the mop and which are concealed are clean. This indicates that these interior portions of the strands are performing no function other than possibly retaining some treatment liquid and contributing to the bulk of the mop.

An additional problem resides in difficulties in applying liquid treatment to the conventional dust mop. Usually the liquid is applied directly onto the mop and upon the exposed ends of the strands. However, after the mop has been used for awhile, these exposed strand ends become filled with wax and dirt accummulations to the point where they no longer receive and absorb the treatment.

There is a real and definite need for improved dust mop heads and the invention was conceived and developed with the above and other considerations in view. This invention comprises, in essence, a sweeping mop head characterized by a thin fringe of selected, soft, comparatively large diameter, loosely woven strands sewn to a backing of cloth or of a paper-plastic laminate in a unique manner, wherein the strands normally lie flatly against the undersurface of the backing as hereinafter described. This sweeping mop was found to be more effective than a conventional dust mop for a number of reasons. The unique arrangement of strands upon the backing permits the full length of every strand to be used and thus puts the full body of yarn to work, not just the tip ends of the strands. The fluffy, loosely wound yarn strands will not only pick up more dirt, but will permit this dirt to easily shake free without matting or tangling the strands. The strands may be easily treated for a more effective pickup of dirt, and also, the strands may easily be cleaned with a brush, eliminating the need to wash the mop.

It follows that objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved disposable sweeping mop head, having selected soft strands which effectively pick up dirt, which can be repeatedly cleaned and reused simply by brushing the strands and which not only performs better, but also is more economical than washable types of mop heads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved sweeping mop head which may be manufactured by using a moderately stiff backing formed by a paper-plastic laminate or a sized cloth, and which can be easily fitted to and securely held upon a conventional dust mop frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved sweeping mop head wherein comparatively soft, loosely twisted strands are secured to the undersurface of the backing in a vary simple, fringed arrangement which effectively exposes the full length of each strand to the floor when the mop is in use to put the full body of the yarn to work with a maximum pickup power for the number of strands on the mop head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved sweeping mop head having the strands firmly affixed to the undersurface of the backing in an arrangement which permits each strand to receive a treatment of oil and/or wax throughout its entire reach, and to be easily and effectively retreated whenever necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved sweeping mop head having comparatively soft, loosely twisted strands sewn as a fringe to the underside of the backing in a unique arrangement with the strands lying flatly against the backing, and which permits the strands to more effectively catch and hold dust, easily shake free or whip out accummulated dirt without the strands matting or tangling and to be easily and effectively cleaned by brushing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved sweeping mop head which includes a firm, unyielding section of strands secured to the undersurface of the backing, which may be pressed against the floor surface to remove dirt sticking to the floor and to rub out stains such as heel marks.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved sweeping mop head which is a neat appearing, rugged and durable unit and which may be manufactured with ordinary, easily available machinery at a minimum cost, and lend itself to mass production.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my present invention comprises certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts and elements as hereinafter described, defined in the appended claims, and illustrated in preferred embodiment, in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lower end of a conventional sweeping mop showing the improved head mounted upon the frame in an ordinary manner, the view depicting the head as in its usual position when lying flatly upon a floor.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper surface of the mop head per se.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the undersurface of the mop head per se.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view as taken from the indicated line 4-4 at FIG. 2, but on an enlarged scale and illustrating the mop head structure in a diagrammatic manner.

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the head as being incomplete with portions pulled out of position to better depict one manner in which it may be manufactured.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view, similar to the showing at FIG. 4, but illustrating a modified arrangement of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a fragment of a fringe of strands used in the improved mop head.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the underside of a fragment of a mop head showing the fringe of strands illustrated at FIG. 6, a fragment of the backing sheet whereto the fringe is sewn and an end of a mop head frame wire in its normal position.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a fragment of a fringe of paper-like strands for use in a modified construction of the mop head.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows the lower end of a sweeping mop consisting of a conventional, rectangular, elongated frame F and the improved mop head H mounted upon the frame. This frame F includes a central base which holds a swiveled connector 21 which, in turn, supports the ferrule 22 of a mop handle 23. The mop frame F is shown as a heavy wire 24, but it may also be a flat, narrow board or plate.

The size of these frames vary, but they are usually standardized. The frames are available in widths from three to 6 inches and they may be from one to six feet long. Because they are standardized, the mop heads furnished by one company can fit upon frames supplied by competitive companies. Thus, it is contemplated that the improved mop head described herein can be manufactured in several varying sizes for use with any of several different types of frames available on the market.

The mop head H includes a backing 30 and a strand base 40 secured to the undersurface of the backing. The mop head backing 30, in conventional arrangements, is a heavy, sturdy, canvas-like cloth having pockets at its upper face to hold it upon the frame. Such a cloth head may be used in the present invention. The strand base 40, in conventional arrangements is formed of a large number of comparatively short lengths of string-like fibers or strands of cotton or rayon affixed to the underside of the backing in various ways as by tufting, with at least a substantial portion of the strands being generally perpendicular to the undersurface of the backing sheet. In the present invention, however, this strand base is completely different, as hereinafter described.

The improved mop head H may be of different materials and is basically a web of a lightweight, strong, pliable material. For example, a suitable material for the backing 30 is a paper-plastic laminate of spunbonded olefin and 70 pound kraft paper. It was found that not only was this comparatively lightweight laminate sufficiently strong and tear resistant to function as a backing for the mop head, but also that it had substantial rigidity which facilitates holding it upon a mop frame while in use. In using a paper-plastic laminate for a mop backing 30, it was found desirable to orient the sheet with the plastic surface 30a at the underside, adjacent to the strand base 40, as indicated at FIGS. 4 and 8.

Another suitable material for the backing includes a nonwoven fabric such as Webrel, manufactured by Kimberly Clark of Waukesha, Wisconsin. These materials are especially suitable because in the present invention, it is contemplated that the mop head H will not be washed; thus, the paper and paper-like nonwoven cloth will not be subject to decomposing by washing. Also, the backing may be of cloth which is much lighter in weight than the cloth ordinarily used with conventional mop heads. The cloth, such as lightweight canvas, may be starched to give it stiffness to be better fit upon the frame F.

Regardless of the material used, the backing 30 is formed as a rectangular web having its longitudinal edges paralleling the longitudinal edges of a mop frame F upon which it is mounted. A rectangular, central portion 31 of this web constitutes the under surface of the backing and its proportions are such as to correspond with a selected frame. A longitudinal edge strip or flap 32 is provided at each side of this central undersurface portion 31 and each flap 32 is folded at the side edges 33 of the central portion 31 to overlie the central portion and toprovide elongated, longitudinally disposed pockets 34 which receive the sides of the frame F. Each end of each pocket is closed by a short overfc'ld edge 35 secured against the flaps 32 and to the central portion by closely spaced rows of stitching '36 extending transversely across the end of the backing. The backing is thus tightly held on the mop frame with each side of the frame fitting into the pockets 34 as illustrated at FIG. 1. To more effectively secure the backing upon the mop frame, tie ribbons 37 are spaced as opposing pairs along the edges 33 of the backing and are stitched in place in any suitable manner. When in use, the ends of each ribbon are tied together as illustrated at FIG. 1.

The strand base 40 is made of a fringe of individual fiber strands 41. This fringe is secured to the underside of the backing 30 by stitching as will be described. One preferred material for the individual strands 41 of this base is a loosely twisted, natural or synthetic yarn capable of absorbing liquid mop treatment such as wax-carrying petroleum distillates and thus be capable of effecloosely spun together and of a type very effective in picking up dirt, such as fiber strands used in disposable mop heads. An excellent, commercially available fiber strand material for a disposable mop is known as No. 1, four ply, light weight, spun rayon mop yarn. This yarn, forming strands 41, is approximately 3/ 16-inch in diameter when in a loose twist or lay.

The strands are sewn together in a side-by-side array by a continuous, longitudinal stitching 42 to form a fringe which is approximately two strands thick. Preferably the stitching is a double row as illustrated at FIG. 7. The length of the strands is roughly, not less than the width of the backing nor more than approximately twice the width of the backing 30. The stitching 42 may be at any suitable position with respect to the edges of the fringe such as at an approximate one-third point, to divide the strand base fringe into shorter, inner tufts 43 and longer, outer tufts 44, with the tufts being so designated because of the placing of this stitching row 42 underneath and within the confines of the mop head as illustrated at FIGS. 3, 6 and 8.

Two reaches of fringe forming the strand base are flatly affixed to the undersurface of the backing 30 by stitching rows which are closed to or are at the longitudinal edges 33 of this undersurface portion 31 of the backing. The inner edges of the inner portions 43 of the opposing fringes are near the longitudinal center of the undersurface portion. The outer portion 44 of each reach of the opposing fringes projects from its side of the base a distance which will vary from approximately one-half to one-and-one-half times the width of the base as is comparatively illustrated at FIGS. 4 and 6. These reaches of fringe are sewn to the underside of the central portion 31 of the backing, preferably by a double row of stitching 45 paralleling the adjacent stitching row 42 holding the strands together and with the stitches being near each longitudinal edge 33. Preferably, the flaps 32 are in an unfolded out of the way position when sewing occurs, as suggested at FIG. 5 and hereinafter described.

Each end of the mop includes a transverse reach of fringe strands 46 to finish off the strand base 40. The end fringe strands 46 may be separate components or they may be provided by turning a projecting portion of the fringe 41 at either side of the backing as illustrated and as indicated by arrow A at FIG. 5. These projecting fringe ends, whether separate or portions of the reaches 41, may be stitched in place by the transverse stitching 36 heretofore described.

It is to be noted that the two stitching rows 42 and 45, in their side by side arrangement, will materially firm the portion of the strands between them and form a substantially flat, padded section 47 of strands as best illustrated at FIG. 8. With the fringe stitching row 42 within the undersurface portion 31 of the backing, this padded section is directly underneath the frame wire 24 and, accordingly, it may be pressed against a floor surface. This permits the mop to be used for rubbing or scouring when necessary, to loosen dirt sticking to the floor or remove a stain such as a heel mark.

his also to be noted that the strands 41 are efficiently arranged to normally lie in the plane of the backing and thus a major portion of each strand will lie flatly upon the floor when the mop is in use. Accordingly, a minimum number of strands will cover a maximum floor surface and pick up a maximum amount of dirt. Moreover, the strands 41, being comparatively few, will not tangle and mat to any substantial extent.

A further advantage of the improved, disposable mop head resides in the manner in which treatment may be applied to the strands. The treatment, which may be an oil or a mixture of oil and waxes, is ordinarily applied as a liquid to soak into the strand fibers. It was found that by placing the mop head in an upsidedown position, such as illustrated at FIG. 3 and at FIG. 8 to expose the padded section 47 between the stitching 42 and 45, the treatment could be poured directly upon this padded section and the treatment liquid would then soak through the fibers of the flat layers of strands 41 in either direction to effectively saturate these strands. The comparatively loose, flat, saturated strands were observed to effectively pick up dust and lint, and the mop could thereafter be easily cleaned by shaking it into a container, or if it was exceptionally dirty, it could be brushed with a stiff brush. The brushing operation permits a mop head to be used repeatedly without requiring that it be laundered, as by washing. This is definitely an advantage.

This improved mop head can be manufactured with simple, easily available machinery at a very moderate cost. To set up a production line, one or two fringing machines may be used to sew the strands 41 together as a fringe heretofore described, by the offset stitching row 42 as illustrated at FIG. 7. Next, the fringing is sewn to a web of a selected paper-plastic laminate, nonwoven cloth, or a cloth which is provided as a continuous roll having a width suitable for the purpose at hand. As this web is played from its roll, it is cut to the proper lengths and two strips of fringing are sewn into place 'along each side of the web as by stitching 45. The

length of each fringe strip will be greater than that of the web section if it provides for transverse fringe ends 46 as illustrated at FIG. 5. The final steps are to fold over the longitudinal edges of the web and the end edges 35, to sew transverse stitching 36 to close the ends of the mop head and to form the pockets 34. At the same time the transverse fringe strands 46 are sewn in place. It is to be noted that each ribbon 37 may be positioned near each end of the web and sewn into place as'the fringes are sewn to the web by stitching 45.

Should rapid manufacturing operations for these mop heads be desired, two fringing machines may continuously form the fringing for each side of the mop head which is moved in a position with respect to a roll of webbing so that the stitching 45 onto the webbing is continuous with ribbons 37, being positioned at selected spacings along the reach of the web. This continuous reach may then be rerolled for storage, if desired, or cut into selected lengths and thereafter, the transverse fringe ends 46 may be separate pieces to be sewn in position by stitching 36.

I have now described my invention in considerable detail. However, it is obvious that others skilled in the art can build and devise alternate and equivalent constructions which are nevertheless within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A mop head for a sweeping mop adapted to be mounted upon and to underlie a flat, sweeping mop frame and comprising, in combination:

a a backing member of fabric-like sheet material having an elongated, central portion substantially the same size as the mop frame, an edge strip at each longitudinal side of the central portion folded over the said central portion, and stitching means at each end of the backing member connecting the end of the central portion and the ends of the overfolded edge strips whereby the overfolded strips form pockets wherein the mop frame snugly fits with the central portion underlying the mop frame;

b. a flat fringe underneath each longitudinal side of the mop head, each fringe being formed as an array of strands lying transversely side by side and secured together by a longitudinal fringe stitch row near the central portion of the fringe, the thickness of the fringe being approximately strands thick and such that the strands will normally lie flatly as when the fringe is lying against a flat planar surface;

c. a connective stitch row at the underside of, and closely adjacent to each longitudinal side of the aforesaid central portion of the backing member, each connective stitch row connecting a fringe to the underside of the backing member with the inner portions of the fringe strands extending laterally inwardly and underneath the backing member to the approximate longitudinal center thereof and with the outer portions of the fringe strands extending laterally and outwardly from each side of the backing member, and wherein;

d. the aforesaid longitudinal fringe stitch row of each fringe is positioned underneath the backing member near and paralleling the aforesaid connective stitch row, with the spacing of the fringe stitch row and the connective stitch row being sufficiently close as to form a firmed-up strip of strands between the aforesaid stitch rows and near each longitudinal side of the mop, underneath the backing member, whereby the edges of the mop frame, when fitted into the backing member pocket, will bear directly over the firmed-up strip to thereby facilitate floor cleaning operations by pressing the firmed'up strip against a floor responsive to pressure by the edge of the mop frame.

2. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein:

the aforesaid outer portion of each fringe extends outwardly from the side edge of the backing member a distance of at least one-half the width of the mop.

3. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein:

the backing member is formed of a paper-like, nonwoven cloth.

4. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein:

the backing member is formed ofa sized cloth.

5. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein:

the fringe strands are formed of a yarn of a nylon-like fiber. 

1. A mop head for a sweeping mop adapted to be mounted upon and to underlie a flat, sweeping mop frame and comprising, in combination: a. a backing member of fabric-like sheet material having an elongated, central portion substantially the same size as the mop frame, an edge strip at each longitudinal side of the central portion folded over the said central portion, and stitching means at each end of the backing member connecting the end of the central portion and the ends of the overfolded edge strips whereby the overfolded strips form pockets wherein the mop frame snugly fits with the central portion underlying the mop frame; b. a flat fringe underneath each longitudinal side of the mop head, each fringe being formed as an array of strands lying transversely side by side and secured together by a longitudinal fringe stitch row near the central portion of the fringe, the thickness of the fringe being approximately strands thick and such that the strands will normally lie flatly as when the fringe is lying against a flat planar surface; c. a connective stitch row at the underside of, and closely adjacent to each longitudinal side of the aforesaid central portion of the backing member, each connective stitch row connecting a fringe to the underside of the backing member with the inner portions of the fringe strands extending laterally inwardly and underneath the backing member to the approximate longitudinal center thereof and with the outer portions of the fringe strands extending laterally and outwardly from each side of the backing member, and wherein; d. the aforesaid longitudinal fringe stitch row of each fringe is positioned underneath the backing member near and paralleling the aforesaid connective stitch row, with the spacing of the fringe stitch row and the connective stitch row being sufficiently close as to form a firmed-up strip of strands between the aforesaid stitch rows and near each longitudinal side of the mop, underneath the backing member, whereby the edges of the mop frame, when fitted into the backing member pocket, will bear directly over the firmed-up strip to thereby facilitate floor cleaning operations by pressing the firmed-up strip against a floor responsive to pressure by the edge of the mop frame.
 2. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein: the aforesaid outer portion of each fringe extends outwardly from the side edge of the backing member a distance of at least one-half the width of the mop.
 3. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein: the backing member is formed of a paper-like, non-woven cloth.
 4. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein: the backing member is formed of a sized cloth.
 5. In the mop head defined in claim 1, wherein: the fringe strands are formed of a yarn of a nylon-like fiber. 